In a time when cops are scrutinized more than ever, and most headlines involving the police are reporting where things went wrong, two Manhattan police officers are doing their best to exemplify what community policing should be about.
Officers Shannon Beauchamp and Rob Bernardy are regularly seen around town, on patrol, and at special events, like Cop on a Rooftop, National Night Out, Touch-a-Truck, and their extra assignment as student resource officers (SROs).
They make a point to be involved, getting to know the residents, kids and adults alike. It also takes away the fear of the unknown — removing a scary anonymity and replacing it with a friendly, familiar face.
“You get out of the car, throw the football. That’s how you get to know your community, and they get to know you. They feel calm and comfortable talking to you,” Beauchamp explained.
Throughout the school week, Beauchamp (aka “Officer Shannon”) and Bernardy (aka “Officer MOE”) visit the five schools in Manhattan during their six-hour school days: Wilson Creek, Anna McDonald, Manhattan Intermediate, Manhattan Junior High, and St. Joseph. There isn’t a set schedule for when they visit the schools, which is intentional for safety, but it’s still a major part of their day, even though it’s an extra assignment.
Beauchamp serves as the police department’s evidence custodian and a field training officer. Similarly, Bernardy also has other duties, and they both work patrol, conducting traffic stops, and responding to emergency calls.
“It’s about these kids and letting them know that not only are we going to come running when they need us, we’re going to be there, not just when it’s the worst day, when it’s just a bad day, but the great moments, too,” Bernardy said.
Bernardy and Beauchamp’s reasons for wanting to be cops are similar. The care they show to others is authentic — a type of care they each experienced as kids.
“I came from a wonderful family, but my best friend didn’t have that luxury. I got to see firsthand how he was able to help her,” Beauchamp explained of the police officer who inspired her to follow the same career path. The officer was a “wholesome” source of support, even helping her best friend through the emancipation process.
Bernardy could’ve been the best friend in Beauchamp’s story.
He was on his own at 14, and his best friend’s family often took him in — the dad was the deputy police chief where they grew up.
“He cared about our community, he cared about us — he cared about me,” Bernardy said. It was that role model who inspired him to make better decisions and ultimately become an officer.
Today, they’ve each become what they and other kids needed. The pride they have in making connections in their community is palpable.
“It’s an amazing feeling. You get a rush. Some people get that from kicking down doors and getting the bad guy, but it’s even better when you get to be involved and see your community grow in front of your eyes,” Beauchamp said.
Bernardy was brimming with pride when he talked about the kids who asked him to sign their yearbooks, kids who wanted to take a picture with him before they were out of school for the summer. It let him know he made a difference.
While an SRO enhances school security by deterring crime and violence, Bernardy and Beauchamp make the effort to do so by building relationships with teachers and students.
“It’s a ‘We Thing!’” says Bernardy. He’s got a big personality, a bigger voice, and several catchphrases that seem to resonate with the kids, like “What up, MOE!” or “Officer MOE,” an inspirational acronym that stands for “Motivated to Overcome and Execute.”
Cybersafety is a big topic, and Bernardy said he was asked to do a presentation at the school, which he did, but only about 15 parents showed up.
“Last year, we were dealing with a lot of social media issues. I don’t think parents were well aware of all the different things going on. You see kids eight-to-nine years old having Snapchat, and parents aren’t monitoring their digital media,” Bernardy said, underscoring the severity of the problem.
In his free time, Bernardy had experimented with podcasting and had all the equipment. He decided to bring his equipment to the school and make the cyber safety presentation format accessible — connect with more people in the community.
“We started doing [videos] and got good feedback, 100-150 views, which I thought was awesome,” Bernardy said.
His videos, shared online on the school district’s social media, are titled, “It’s a We Thing Wednesday,” and cover topics pertinent to all: parents, kids, school district administration and teachers, the fire district, and the police department.
Bernardy didn’t stop there — he decided to see if the kids were interested in doing a podcast together. After all, to him it is very much a “we thing.”
With the help of Manhattan School District’s Library Media Specialist Michele Hallihan, who also heads the media club, they were able to get a group of kids enthusiastic about participating in the podcast and bring the idea to fruition.
“I help them with the editing, make suggestions, help with software, but I really want them to do it. It’s tempting to want to make it polished, but I really feel like it has to be the kids doing it. I’m just here to facilitate that, to make sure they make their deadlines, all that good stuff,” Hallihan explained.
“It’s a great partnership and a great avenue for kids to create something authentic. They’re very excited to have a real audience for their work,” Hallihan added.
And so, Bernardy is now doing a monthly, potentially bimonthly, podcast with the kids, talking about topics that matter to them.
“We’re reinforcing all the things they’re hearing from mom and dad and giving that different perspective from the law enforcement side,” Beauchamp added.
Beauchamp interacts with the kids in her own way, talking with them while jumping rope, playing hopscotch, and running races on the playground at recess — all in full gear.
“They’re like, ‘Why are you here?’ and you get to start that conversation,” Beauchamp explained.
“I’m here because I care. You can always call me. You need me, call 911, and I will be here. I don’t want you to be afraid when you see me in my uniform,” Beauchamp said of what she tells the kids.
“If they call 911, it’s because something bad happened, and you want them to know that it’s ok, you’re here to protect them. And you’re there to solve whatever issue they might have, even if it’s just getting the dodgeball or if something bad happens,” she said.
“We’re trying to show them that if I take off my vest, we’re the same. My heart beats the same way yours does,” Beauchamp said.
Beauchamp and Bernardy hope the SRO position can eventually become a dedicated position, but for now, they’re pleased with the impact they’re making.
They attribute the SRO program’s success to the support they get from Police Chief Ryan Gulli and the Manhattan School District.
“[Gulli] is phenomenal — he’s behind you all the way. It’s wonderful to work for someone who remembers what it’s like to be on the street,” Beauchamp says of Gulli’s command, adding the school district is “incredible” with their support.
“The gratitude I have for the platform, for the district itself, for the superintendent, for the chief of police, that can’t go unnoticed. Someone has to believe in the project without knowing what it is, believe in the kids, in me, to run with that,” Bernardy said, showing that it really is a “we thing,” after all.